Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Cystic Fibrosis

Written by Leigh Ann Bray, Sigrid Ladores, Edwin Burgess, Nataliya Ivankova, Aimee Holland, Patricia Patrician, Kevin Leon, Brad Troxler, & Sylvie Mrug

doi: https://doi.org/10.13178/jnparr.2021.11.02.1103

Abstract

Introduction: Gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) have not been thoroughly explained despite consistent reports of poorer quality of life and lower median survival age in women compared to men.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore gender differences in HRQoL and understand gender-specific facilitators and barriers to HRQoL.

Methods: A sequential quantitative --> qualitative mixed methods study included 123 adults with CF from a single care center in the Southeastern United States. Quantitative data were collected using the CF Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R), demographics form, and CF Foundation Patient Registry and analyzed using SPSS® statistical software. Purposefully selected 15 men and 15 women completed a follow up, semi-structured interview to explore gender-specific facilitators and barriers to HRQoL. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis.

Results: 57 men and 66 women with CF, aged 19-67, were included in the quantitative analyses. Men demonstrated better HRQoL than women in physical functioning (p = 0.02), social functioning (p = 0.03), and emotional functioning (p = 0.02), whereas women reported better HRQoL in the area of weight (p = 0.02). Qualitative results indicated that maintaining insurance benefits and ability to work were barriers unique to men, while both men and women had different concerns regarding body image that negatively impacted HRQoL.

Conclusion: Differences in HRQoL occurred between genders and provided insight intopotential interventions to improve the HRQoL of adults with CF.

Keywords: cystic fibrosis; quality of life; gender; mixed methods research